This year’s Bravo Fan Fest was so eventful, even a Haitian mortician was there.
Bravo Fan Fest returned to Charleston, SC on October 24, after debuting in Miami in 2024. There was live stage programming, branded activations, and photo ops with Bravolebrities from a number of hit shows, including Below Deck, The Real Housewives franchise, Southern Charm, Southern Hospitality, and Summer House.
ADWEEK spent the day on the ground of the festival, which is smaller and more intimate and community-driven that larger-scale events like BravoCon.
This year, the event had five brand sponsors: Colgate Optic White, Planet Fitness, State Farm, Wayfair, and Wendy’s. Each put real thought into how the audience would want to engage with their activations, finding ways to get them involved and focusing more on the shows fans love than their own products.
“Each partnership brings the brand into the Bravo world through familiar Easter eggs and fan-favorite moments, in a way that lets both the brand and the IP shine,” said Sari Feinberg, svp of marketing and brand partnerships at NBCUniversal Advertising and Partnerships.
At Colgate’s activation, attendees could play a giant toothbrush game to win prizes. There was also a smile-ready photo spot with a power fan, meant to make attendees feel like a Bravo main character. Visitors could also customize a travel bag with Colgate Optic White products.
Planet Fitness had hydration stations where attendees grabbed co-branded water bottles and scanned a hang tag to unlock one free month of the PF Black Card, which gives access to all clubs nationwide plus perks like hydromassages and exclusive app workouts.
State Farm, meanwhile, built a waterfront photo op inspired by Southern Charm. Cast members including Shep Rose and Madison LeCroy stopped by to pose with fans, while fans received customizable tote bags and could pick a scarf to match.
Wayfair’s activation was a big hit with Summer House fans. There, they could pose as a DJ, like the show’s star Kyle Cooke, next to cardboard cutouts of the cast. Fans also got to the chance to meet cast memeber Mia Calabrese and left with gift boxes that had a shoppable QR code for deals.
Wendy’s brought its BFF (Burgers, Fries, and Frosty) deal to an outdoor food truck. The fast-food chain also debuted two new Frosty flavors inspired by The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’s Alicia Carmody and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Lisa Barlow. Inside, fans could check in at The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Hotel, designed to feel like a real housewives trip.
Barlow’s Baby Gorgeous Meal is still available in the Wendy’s app and on DoorDash.
Kim Francella, svp of brand partnerships at NBCUniversal Advertising and Partnerships, views Fan Fest as an ongoing strategy to cultivate fandom. The intentionally intimate setting is key to building deeper connections that drive brand involvement.
“What we’re seeing is a true flywheel: the passion of the Bravo fanbase continues to drive incredible demand from brands,” said Francella.
While Bravoholics came for their favorite stars, they stayed for the experiences that seamlessly wove themselves into the festival.
